France, Paris: Hitachi Energy has expanded its EconiQ SF₆-free high-voltage switchgear portfolio at CIGRE 2026, adding new circuit-breaker ratings for transmission applications.
The additions include an EconiQ 300 kV circuit breaker, available in gas-insulated switchgear configurations, a 245 kV dead tank circuit breaker, and a 420 kV 80 kA live tank circuit breaker.
The new products have already secured customer orders. In North America, Hydro One and Wesco have ordered the 245 kV dead tank breaker, while TenneT Germany has selected the 420 kV 80 kA live tank breaker following an earlier EconiQ installation in Oberhaid.
TenneT’s higher-current unit is intended to support increasing renewable generation and cross-border power flows across its more than 25,000 km transmission network.
“Switchgear is built to last for decades. The choices utilities make now about what goes into their substations will still be shaping grid emissions in 2060,” said Markus Heimbach, CEO of Hitachi Energy’s High Voltage Products Business Unit.
Hitachi Energy says more than 4,000 EconiQ units have now been ordered across 40 countries.
The EconiQ portfolio replaces SF₆, traditionally used for insulation and current interruption in high-voltage switchgear. According to the company, expanding the available voltage and fault-current ratings gives utilities additional options for moving away from SF₆ while maintaining required grid performance and reliability.
Source: Hitachi Energy
